How acquired: Selected with No. 15 pick in 2025 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Vancouver (NHL): 3 GP, 0-0-0; Seattle (WHL): 17 GP, 10-13-23; Prince Albert (WHL): 28 GP, 14-26-40
Cootes (5-11, 183) started last season with the Canucks after impressing during training camp, playing three games before being sent back to Seattle in the Western Hockey League. After helping Canada win the bronze medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, he was traded to Prince Albert, where he finished the season with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 20 WHL playoff games.
A defensively responsible right-shot center who has been praised for his work rate, maturity and leadership while still averaging more than a point per game (126 points in 105 games) the past two WHL seasons, the 19-year-old is expected to compete for an NHL spot but more likely will begin the season in the American Hockey League.
“Same thing (as Malhotra), I want to do right by Braeden and what is best for the next 10-12 years, not what is best for the next six months,” Johnson said. “But there’s competition in training camp, and he’s going to get the opportunity to show he belongs.”
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
How acquired: Selected with No. 24 pick in 2026 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Peterborough (OHL): 58 GP, 34-31-65
Novotny (6-1, 205) stood out at his first Canucks development camp in July with his skating, compete level and offensive touch, including a couple of goals and some unexpectedly slick passing and vision.
The 18-year-old has a quick release and hard shot that allowed him to score 34 goals in his first season in North America while showing a willingness to get to the middle of the ice.
“First of all, his awareness. I like his skating abilities. He looks really strong,” Canucks development coach Mikael Samuelsson said. “And he’s skating around with a smile on, and you can’t forget about that. Some guys get tight, but he seems to love what he does, and that’s a good start.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2028-29
How acquired: Selected with No. 15 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2025-26 season: Vancouver (NHL): 13 GP, 2-1-3; Abbotsford (AHL): 21 GP, 13-7-20
Lekkerimaki’s first two seasons in North America have been derailed by injuries and illnesses. Last season he was limited to 34 games, which led to him slipping down the prospect depth chart.
The 22-year-old has proven his elite shot translates in the AHL, but some wonder whether he has the size (5-11, 172) and strength to succeed in the NHL. He had season-ending shoulder surgery Feb. 26, but Johnson said that timing was to make sure he’d be ready for this season.
“I’m extremely excited for (Lekkerimaki), not in the sense of putting pressure on him, but he’s had untimely injuries and some just bad luck which has prevented him getting momentum to being the player that he we know he’s going to be, and he wants to be,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to give him a run of games and support to show what he can do.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
